The New York Rangers have placed right winger Justin Fontaine on waivers, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports (Twitter link). Accordingly, it would appear that the Rangers have signed him to a contract, although that has yet to be announced by the team.
Fontaine has spent the last three seasons with Minnesota. Last year, he had five goals and 11 assists in 60 games but is only two years removed from a 31 point campaign. In his career, he has played in 197 games, all with the Wild, scoring 27 goals while adding 41 assists.
Despite that, the 28 year old has bounced around this offseason. He secured a tryout with Florida in early September but was released. He then caught on with Dallas on another PTO but was cut again several days later. Now it appears he has landed a contract but will have to start in the AHL, assuming he makes it through waivers which seems like a reasonable expectation.
At first glance, it would appear that Fontaine is taking the spot originally earmarked for Nathan Gerbe as veteran depth. The Rangers signed Gerbe back in July but after clearing waivers, he declined to report to the AHL and instead had his contract terminated. He has since signed with Geneve-Servette of the Swiss NLA.
[Related: Rangers Depth Chart]